What are the early symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Written by Yan Chun
Oncology
Updated on March 30, 2025
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Patients with ovarian cancer often do not exhibit many symptoms in the early stages, and many do not have obvious symptoms initially. Some patients may experience pelvic pain due to tumor growth early on, primarily located in the bilateral pelvic area, with some experiencing pain that radiates to the perineal area. Some early-stage ovarian cancer patients may experience abnormalities in their menstrual cycle, primarily manifested as irregular menstruation, increased menstrual flow, and the presence of blood clots. Some patients may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of their menstrual period. In addition, some patients in the early stages may exhibit signs of abnormal hormone secretion. Aside from these, most early-stage ovarian cancer patients do not show obvious symptoms.

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Ovarian Cancer Dietary Precautions

The occurrence of ovarian cancer is not greatly related to dietary habits, so there are no special dietary restrictions or forbidden foods for patients with ovarian cancer. In Western medicine, unlike Traditional Chinese Medicine, which mentions certain "stimulating foods," there are no such prohibitions. Therefore, the diet for patients with ovarian cancer is the same as for anyone else, only requiring a balanced, comprehensive nutrition, and a combination of meat and vegetables. There are no special dietary considerations needed.

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What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

In the early stages, ovarian cancer often doesn't show many symptoms and can be detected during gynecological examinations. However, as it progresses, symptoms such as abdominal bloating, lumps in the abdomen, and ascites may occur. The severity of these symptoms depends on the size and location of the tumor, the extent to which it has invaded nearby organs, the histological type of the tumor, and whether the malignant tumor, ovarian cancer, has metastasized to other areas or is accompanied by other complications.

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How long can one live with ovarian cancer?

The lifespan of ovarian cancer patients depends on several factors including the specific stage of the cancer, the patient's sensitivity and response to treatment, and the overall health of the patient, leading to significant individual variability. The cancer is typically classified into stages from one to four, with stage one being the earliest and stage four being the most advanced. Generally, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage tend to have a better prognosis and a greater chance of survival compared to those with advanced ovarian cancer. Additionally, patients in advanced stages who respond well to treatments like chemotherapy typically have a better prognosis and longer survival times compared to those who are less responsive to such treatments. Hence, it is impossible to generalize as the individual differences are substantial.

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Oncology
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Can ovarian cancer be cured?

Whether ovarian cancer can be cured depends on the clinical stage of the patient, as well as the patient's sensitivity to treatment, among other factors. If it is a case of early-stage ovarian cancer, curative surgery can be performed. After surgery, based on the pathology, it can be decided whether postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy is necessary. Patients with early-stage ovarian cancer who undergo surgery or postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy may have hope for a cure. However, if the cancer is discovered at a late stage where it has spread extensively, such as widespread metastasis to the pelvic area, or even to distant organs like the lungs or liver, then the treatment for these patients is primarily chemotherapy. A cure is not achievable; the treatment aims to alleviate symptoms and prolong the patient's life. Thus, for patients with late-stage ovarian cancer, treatment cannot achieve a curative purpose.

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Is chemotherapy effective after the recurrence of ovarian cancer?

After the recurrence of ovarian cancer, most patients can still benefit from chemotherapy again, as ovarian cancer itself is relatively sensitive to chemotherapy compared to other types of malignant tumors. If the recurrence occurs more than six months after the initial treatment, the same chemotherapy drugs used initially can still be chosen. However, if the recurrence happens within six months, the chemotherapy plan should include different drugs that were not used previously.